Preliminary Phytochemical Analysis and Antioxidant Effect of Fruit Extract of Neoalsomitra clavigera Hutch

The fruits of Neoalsomitra clavigera Hutch., locally known as ‘Lalruanga Dawibur’, have been usedtraditionally by the Mizo people of Mizoram, North East India for the treatment of various ailmentsincluding diabetes and stomach ulcer. The present study was undertaken to report the analysis ofphytoconstituents present in successive extracts of the fruit extracts of Neoalsomitra clavigera and theantioxidant effect of methanolic extract of the plant. Its phytochemical analysis showed the presence ofalkaloids, carbohydrates, proteins and amino acids, phenolic compounds and tannins, flavonoids, steroland terpenoids. Free radical scavenging activity of the methanolic extract of the plant at differentconcentrations were determined with 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). The phenolic content andtotal flavonoid concentration of the extract were determined using Folin-Ciocalteu reagent method andaluminium chloride method respectively. Reducing power of the extract was also determined. Themethanolic extract exhibited radical scavenging activity with an IC50:5.16μg/ml. The total phenoliccompounds determined using Folin-Ciocalteu reagent was found to be 0.73 mg/g dry weight expressedas gallic acid equivalents (GAE) and the total flavonoid concentrations detected was 0.215 mgquercetin equivalents (QE)/g dry weight. Increasing the concentration of the extracts resulted in anincreased ferric reducing antioxidant power for the methanolic extract tested. The methanolic extract ofNeoalsomitra clavigera was found to have an antioxidant activity which may be due to the presence offlavonoids and phenolic compounds. Further investigation may be needed to indicate the mechanism ofaction of its antioxidant property.